Match-dispenser.



J. D. BYER.

MATCH DISPENSER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3. i915.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFTfiE.

JOHN D. BYER, OF BUTTE, MONTANA.

MATCH-DISPENSER.

Application filed. June 3, 1915.

sary use of matches, particularly in public places.

The invention has for a more specific o ject, the provision in a match dispenser, of, first, an improved cup or receptacle having a novel top adapted to insure the delivery of matches, one at a time, and to prevent them from falling back into the cup or receptacle, as also affording means for con venient and easy access to the cup or receptacle for purposes of filling or otherwise; second, an improved and simplified match feeding device adapted to raise the matches, one at a time, and to cooperate in a novel way with the improved top of the cup or receptacle; and, third, a match dispenser comprising the combination of the foregoing features and constructions.

l One embodiment of the invention is set forth hereinafter, but as the invention is susceptible of change within the spirit and scope thereof, I do not limit myself to details of construction, except where specified in the claims. 7

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation, the parts being in dispensing position with a match ready for delivery, dotted lines showing the normal 'position of the parts; Fig. 2, a vertical section through Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a plan view, the parts being in normal position; Fig. 4:, a detail perspective of the top sections in their normal position; Fig. 5, an inside view of a portion of the standard; Fig. 6, a view of one face of the dispensing slide; and Fig. 17, a detail of a portionof the cup or receptacle.

The cup or receptacle which holds the matches, appears at 1, being provided with downwardly converging bottom sections 2 between which is a slot 3 so that the matches will gravitate to the point where the feeder slide 4 will engage them. The receptacle may have one or more glass or transparent panes 5.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

Serial No. 31,882;

The upper portion of the cup or receptacle is open. To close said opening there are provided hinged top sections 6 and 7 which when closed, are supported by ledges or shoulders 8 in general upwardly converging relationship. Any suitable means for pivoting the top sections 6 and 7 may be provided, but a convenient arrangement is that shown, embodying integral pivots 9 received in an aperture'lO and in another aperture 11 at the bottom of an entry slot 12, thus affording means whereby the' top sections may be quickly and easily removed or positioned. Shoulders 13 on the sides of the cup or receptacle are adapted to support the top sections 6 and 7 when opened out as shown in Fig. 2, so that the cup or receptacle can be readily filled with matches. Coil springs 6, 7 keep the section 6, 7, from flying open when the slide at is rapidly operated.

The top sections 6 and 7 are provided with cut out portions 14 to permit the passage of the upper end of the feeder slide 4. One of the sections has a match receiving groove or ledge 15 and the other curved hooks 16 overhanging said channel or grooved portion'and adapted to engage the end portions of the match as it is raised by the feeder slide a and limit its upward travel so that said match, on the downward movement of the feeder slide, will be directed by said hooks to the match-receiving groove 15, where it will remain, as shown in Fig. 3, in convenient position to be grasped and removed. The cup or receptacle 1 is supported by a standard 17 which is in turn secured to a base 18, such connection between the stand ard and base being either fixed or pivotal, as

preferred. A suitable scratch plate 19 may be provided on the base. The feeder slide 4: is adapted to move vertically in a channel or between guides in the standard 17 and, in addition, it may be provided with a central vertical slot 20 through which a guide pin 21 passes. Pivoted at 22 to the standard is an operating lever 23 whose'finger-piece may be shaped in any desired manner and which has an arm 24 on which the lower end of the feeder slide 4 normally rests, said arm having at its extremity a rounded portion 25 which, when the lever is operated, wipes against the lower edge of the feeder slide 4 for the purpose of elevating said slide. The downward movement of the slide is limited by the pin 21. The slide 4 has a short vertical slot 26 and the extremity of the lever lever.

is provided with an aperture 27. A bowed is recessed at 32 to afford the requisite play for the spring. The spring 28 constitutes an operative connection between the lever 23 and the feeder slide 4; for the purpose of re tracting or drawing said feeder slide down wardly after it has been raised. The lever 23 is retracted by a spring 33 coiled around the pivot thereof and having its ends respectively connected to the standard and the The upper end of the slide 4; has a groove or channel 34: adapted to receive a single match and the said upper end is narrower than the slide and of a width adapting it to enter the cutout portions 14. The

ends of the match overhang the end edges of the slide so that they are in position to engage the top sections 6 and 7.

Normally the slide is retracted and the parts in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The bent end 30 is then at the upper end of the slot 26. When the lever 23 is depressed, the arm 24: thereof engages with and directly and positively elevates the feeder slide 4. On the release ofthe feeder slide by the release of the lever, after the match has been elevated and delivered to the matclrreceiving groove 15, the spring 33 7 tends to snap back the lever to normal position. The end 30 then moves in the slot until it reaches the lower end I thereof, whereupon the spring 28 is stretched and the slide 4t is then snapped or rapidly pulled down. The connection between the operating lever and the slide being a flexible one for purposes of retraction of the slide 4, tendency to'bind or catch is minimized.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a match dispenser, a match holding cup or receptacle provided with a pair of hinged doors or top sections arranged to spread for the delivery of the match, one of said hinged doors overlapping or overhanging the other door or top section.

2. In a match dispenser a match holding cup or receptacle provided with a pair of hinged. doors or top sections arranged to spread for the delivery of the match, one

cup or receptacle provided with a pair of hinged doors or top sect-ions arranged to spread for the delivery of the match, one of said hinged doors or top sections being provided with a match receiving and holding ledge or channel on its outer face and the other hinged door having freely projecting hooks overhanging said match re ceiving ledge or channel.

at. In a match dispenser, a match holding cup or receptacle provided with a pair of hinged doors or top sections arranged to spread for the delivery of the match and provided with notched portions, one of said doors having parts overhanging the other door at opposite sides of said notched portions, in combination with a movable feeder of less width than the length of a match and adapted to hold the match with its ends overhanging the feeder, the said feeder being adapted to enter the notched portions of the doors and the end portions of the match being adapted to engage the doors and the overhanging parts aforesaid for the purpose of delivering the match.

5. In a match dispenser, the combination with a match dispensing slide, of a pivoted operating leverdirectly and disengageably cooperating with said slide for the purpose of projecting it, and a separate retracting connection between the slide and the lever.

6. In a match dispenser, the combination with a match dispensing slide, of 1a pivot-ed operating lever directly and disengageably cooperating with said slide for the purpose of projecting it, and a separate bowed spring connecting the slide and lever for the purpose of retracting said slide.

7 In a match dispenser, the combinatlon with a match dispensing slide, of a pivoted spring-retracted operating lever releasably engaged with, and adapted for, projecting the slide, and a separate bowed spring having a loose connection with the slide and also connected to the lever for the purpose of retracting said slide.

JOHN D. BYER.

Copies of this patent may-be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

